Smokies Hickory House BBQ — Restaurant in Broken Arrow

Will NEVER go back to this place!! Went to pick up food this evening 11/10/17 at 7:50pm for an order that was placed over the phone and two ladies were standing at the register discussing a ticket issue. Was never acknowledged but when another patron walked up the employee in a aqua sweatshirt (Payton) took care of him. She still never acknowledged me, I had to say something to her! Requested to speak with a manager and she stated “it will be one of the four of us” pointing to other people. She clearly already had an attitude or hate to say she didn’t care for my skin color (I’m not sure); however she half apologized stating “its been chaotic”! I was standing right there, the entrance door to the register is not a big area. You could sense someone standing in front of the register. I proceeded to ask after paying for my to go order who owned the facility and how I could contact him. Payton explained, she is not allowed to give that information out. When asked who else I could speak with she told me “no one and they were going to say the same thing.” When I took a step forward to try not to have the whole restrauant in our conversation, she raised her voice at me to “get outta her face!” So now I’m in your face but you couldn’t tell a second ago I had been standing there for assistance? She then asked, “then why didn’t you say something?” A co-worker had to come and place her hand on top of hers and tell her to stop. Thank you for apologizing and diffusing the situation. It’s evident that Payton has no customer relations experience. I’m truly sorry this occurred, my husband loves Smokies but we will never step foot in here again until they know how to treat their customers.... it’s not hard to make eye contact, say hello or one moment please! Even if it wasn’t her intention to not acknowlegde a paying customer; the apology, collection of money and further responses all came with an attitude. My reasoning as to why I asked for assistance from someone else...

Smokies has the best brisket and slaw I have had in the Tulsa area. The fried okra, beans, and fries are all decent, but the slaw is my favorite. It has an ominous name, “Atomic Slaw.” Don’t be frightened. It is a delicious slaw recipe that is pleasantly spiked with hot peppers. It is the absolutely perfect layer of flavor to pile on top of a large stacked pile of brisket then cover with the top bun to make a mouthwatering sandwich. The tender brisket and the slaw complement each other. An impeccable BBQ sandwich. This is what to eat at Smokies.

Even though I know what is the best, I like to test the menu. Today ribs; Atomic Slaw mandatory, add fried okra. The basket was full with four lean meaty ribs, enough fried okra for both me and my wife and a cup of slaw. The server delivered a small plate of essential BBQ condiments (peppers, pickles and onions) to accompany the meal. The ribs were meaty, tender and lean. For my taste, a little too much garlic in the rub, but good with a little sauce to tone down the garlic. Smokies has the Oklahoma standard BBQ sauce “Head Country” and “Ranger Creek.” I hate both. Too sweet. There were a couple of other sauces offered that I had not heard of. Ja-Ru and Sa-Mokin. The waiter said that they were made locally. I tried them both. Not bad. Eat Brisket and Atomic Slaw at Smokies!

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Just tried Smokies for the first time today. We got the Triple combo with chicken, bologna, and ham sides of baked beans and sidewinders, and a full rack of ribs. I got a little emotional while eating-- my dad passed when I was 15 and he was a SMOKER! That man smoked and grilled every chance he got every summer. He made the BEST smoked bologna, chicken and baked beans. He knew his food made people happy, it was how he connected with people and how he showed love. I am not a smoker, though I want to be someday! But I have looked for anything that somewhat resembled his cooking, I can make some things like him but not anything like his BBQ. Today I was blindsided. The baked beans were the closest I have had to his. And the bologna, ugh it was like standing next to him at the grill. Thank you so much for bringing that memory to me, completely unintentionally. I'm looking forward to one day having my daughter eating some of the food (6 months old currently) and telling her how close it is to her Grandpa Bob's.

I would seriously be so thrilled if I could learn the recipe for the beans, but I also know what a treasure a recipe like that is! Keep doing what y'all are doing, it's...